City Council addresses media reports of neglect and mismanagement by Richmond Housing Authority

Street view of Hacienda public housing development, site of the most egregious lapses in maintenance and sanitary upkeep by the Richmond Housing Authority. (Photo by: Sukey Lewis)

The Richmond City Council responded to damning media reports of appalling public housing conditions and financial mismanagement by the Richmond Housing Authority.

Tim Jones, executive director of the Housing Authority, admitted that his agency has “fallen short” in its duties, but rejected the reports’ charge that these deficiencies reflect system-wide failure.

“There is absolutely room for improvement,” he said in an emergency item added to Tuesday night’s council meeting. Measures under discussion ranged from alternative housing to demolition, and leadership changes to federal intervention.

The Center for Investigative Reporting, San Francisco Chronicle and KQED reported on Monday that the Housing Authority is $7 million in debt and is failing to maintain adequate living standards and security for residents.